Saturday, April 9, 2016

Mix and Match

Mix and Match











‘Hey, where are you from?’

A simple sentence; the introductory sentence which connects strangers; simple & eloquent; a plain enquiry to know the person you are. But not if you are a third generation Tam-Brahm from Mumbai!

Usually the response to this question is simple, but with my response [or any similar individual who has experienced & undergone this before] this is only the beginning of confusion.

Thus goeth my conversation:

‘Hey, where are you from?’

‘Mumbai’ *Chamatthu Kozhandey Smile*

‘But you don’t seem Maharashtrian?’ *confusion begins*

‘No, I’m not a Maharashtrian. I am a Tamil Brahmin.’ *yet another test of patience*

‘So Chennai?’ *tries to clarify*

‘No, Kerala.’ *adamant & a little bit vain*

‘But you said Tamil Brahmin, how are you from Kerala?’ *more confusion*

‘We are Tamil Brahmins settled in Kerala!!’ *exasperated sigh*

‘So how are you from Mumbai then?’ *romba confused stranger*

*takes a deep breath and begins my standard explanation*

‘Basically I am born and brought up in Mumbai. My grandparents & ancestors prior to them hail from Kerala, but we are Tamil Brahmins.’

*random stranger visibly confused and thinks this is too complicated & gives up*

Identity crisis? Well, one won’t be wrong in assuming that this is what will happen if there are multiple states involved. But for me and people from my generation of Tam Brahms who stay in Mumbai, this is normal! J We take as much pride in being a Mumbaikar as we are a Tamil Brahmin. Luckily we have clarity even when others are confused with regards to our origins.

People say best of both worlds. In our case, we have best of all worlds!
-      We love Maharashtrian Cuisine and vada pav as much as we love Puliyodarai & Idli-Dosai!
-      Our saddi chaapadu is relished with equal fervour as much as a Maharashtrian Thali!
-      We love Puran Poli as much as our Vella Payasam!!!
-      We love our curd rice & narthangai as much as Bakharwadi & Kothimbir Vadi!
-      We love Sachin Tendulkar as much as Ravichandran Ashwin!! (I speak for myself here J)
-      We love Matunga as much as we love Madras! (To those who have been at both places, they are very similar!!)
-      We love dancing to the beats of the Puneri Dhol as much as we love Sivamani’s apic percussion! (We can do our Ganpati Dance to any Dumma-koothu song)
-      We love Tamil cinema as much as we love Bollywood!! (By extension Malayalam movies as well!) (And Bollywood still needs to come up with a match for Kamal & Thalaivaa!!)
-      We love A R Rehman’s tunes as much as Ajay-Atul’s!! (Music Lovers basically!!)
-      We love Marine Drive as much as Marina Beach! (See, even the names are similar!)
-      We love Siddhivinayak & Mahalakshmi as much as Vadapalani or Mylapore kabali kovil! J (#ChamatthuKozhandey)

[I can keep adding various similar themes between both places, but I seem to have made my point and will stop before saying anything blasphemous and being blasted by both!!]

Bottomline: To those who feel we are not in touch with our roots and have lost ourselves in this city of cross-cultures & cosmopolitan society, that is not the case. We love our culture and tradition and are equally proud to be part of other cultures & try our best to enjoy both. Just like milk, sugar & coffee powder come together blending seamlessly to make the divine filter kaapi, we take in best of everything while upholding our roots with pride!!!

Aravind Krishnan
9th April 2016



Monday, March 28, 2016

Daredevil

Daredevil














The night covers me perfectly like a black shroud,
Like the full moon enveloped behind a massive cloud,
I move swiftly, jumping roof after roof,
Lest my fear betray me, my emotions stay aloof.

I scan the city for criminals, ones who rain evil,
Not knowing I keep watch, always a silent vigil.
I befriend the shadows and the darkness within,
My code spares no-one - petty thief or kingpin!

Yet to safeguard my close ones, I have covered my face,
I move in a flash, I scurry in a haste pace.
My actions, so unlike my demeanour, speak louder than my words,
I have been known to wield my silence like a mighty sword.

I fight my inner demons, and my battles have left me scarred,
Some I fail to remember, others that have simply been marred.
Yet, I will keep on fighting till the end of the night,
The flame will never diminish, I will continue to do what's Right!

I have spilt my blood so many times, I have simply lost count
I have given this city everything, more than an infinite amount.
Working ceaselessly, hoping whenever I can without despair,
To bringing justice to the needful, everytime, everywhere! 

I carry the weight of the world, be it one, or a pack,
I fight for my city, bearing others on my back. 
The red they call me, others simply the devil,
These i pay no heed, i continue working my marvel.

My code of ethics isn't flawless, I have lost more than I have won,
Because i will simply not kill for the sake of it, not even once!
I have a light inside me, a small pulse that flares,
A soundless sound, that nothing can overbear.

Some say I'm a hero, some think I'm not worthy to be one,
Others believe I'm evil, they see me as The devil's son.
All this I simply ignore, I choose my own battles,
For always a silent guardian, my city do I effectively handle!

- Aravind K
28.03.2016